How to vote in Washington D.C.

Rachel Barber Paste BN

In 2024, votes will be cast on issues and races that will set America’s direction for the coming years. The Paste BN Network has everything you need to know to make the best choices for yourself and your family at the ballot box.

How do I register to vote?

All eligible D.C. citizens wishing to register to vote can do so online. Voters can also download a registration application or pick one up at the D.C. Board of Elections and most D.C. public libraries. Completed applications can be delivered by mail, email or fax. Same-day registration is also available in person at the D.C. Board of Elections during the early voting period and on Election Day.

First-time voters should be prepared to provide proof of residence. Forms of identification include a valid government I.D., a copy of a current utility bill, paycheck or another government-issued document.

To vote in a D.C. primary, you must be registered to vote with one of the parties eligible to conduct a primary election (Democratic, Republican, or D.C. Statehood Green).

Voters wishing to register to cast a ballot in the Democratic presidential primary online must do so no later than 21 days (about three weeks) before the June 4 election. However, Democrats’ registrations that are submitted past the deadline will be accepted if they are made in person at the Board of Elections or another voter registration agency.

Voters can confirm their registration status on the District of Columbia’s election website.

What key dates do I need to know in 2024?

The Republican presidential primary will be held March 1-3, meaning registered Republicans may vote in person on March 1, 2, or 3 at the Madison Hotel, 1177 15th Street, N.W., and voting times are to be confirmed.
The Democratic presidential primary will take place on June 4, and the party’s registration deadline is May 14. But if voters miss it, same-day registration is available during the early voting period and on Election Day.
The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

What key races are on the ballot?

U.S. President
Delegate to the U.S. House
At-large members of the Council
Voters can view the complete list of candidates here. Sample ballots will be posted to the D.C. Board of Elections website when they become available.

What if I’m not a U.S. citizen?

Passed into law in 2023, this year marks the first time qualified non-citizen D.C. residents can also register to vote in local elections, thanks to the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022.

Under the new law, non-citizens cannot vote for federal offices. They can, however, help elect their mayor, attorney general, members of the D.C. Council, the Board of Education, and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner(s). Registered non-citizens can also vote on D.C. initiative, referendum, recall or charter amendment measures.

Non-citizens can register online. Completed applications can also be delivered by mail, email, fax or in person. Non-citizens will also need to show proof of D.C. residence.

What do I need to take to the polls?

Voters can determine where to cast their ballots on the D.C. Board of Elections website.

Same-day registration voters must complete an application, swear or affirm they are qualified to vote and provide proof of residence to vote in the June primary.

Registered Democratic voters do not need to present proof of residence on Election Day. However, having some form of government-issued identification is recommended.

Republican primary voters should come prepared as they may be required to show a state-issued photo I.D. that includes their name and date of birth. Those two items must match the information shown on their voter registration.

First-time D.C. voters who did not provide proof of residence when registering will need to bring it on Election Day. Acceptable forms of proof include:

Valid District of Columbia DMV-issued ID
Government check or paycheck issued in the previous 90 days
Bank statement issued in previous 90 days
Current utility bill (does not include cell phone) issued in previous 90 days
Student housing statement/tuition bill
Homeless shelter occupancy statement
Residential lease
Other current government document that shows your name and address

What do I need to know about mail-in voting?

Mail-in voting: All registered and active voters will be sent a mail-in ballot of the D.C. primary for Tuesday, June 4. The Republican presidential primary in early March is in-person only.

What are the dates and deadlines for absentee or early voting?

Early voting: There is no early voting for the Republican presidential primary on March 1, 2, and 3.

Early voting for the D.C. primary on June 4 is from Sunday, May 26, through Sunday, May 2. Note that early voting will be closed on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day. Early voting for the general elections on Nov. 5 will begin on Monday, Oct. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 3.

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot be sent to a different address is May 20 for the June primary and Oct. 21 for the general election in November. Your completed ballot for the D.C. primary must be postmarked on or before June 4. For the general election, the completed ballot must be postmarked on or before Nov. 5.

Voters casting a ballot in the June primary by mail can track their status using the D.C. Board of Elections’ Ballottrax tracker. D.C. absentee or mail-in voters can also opt to receive Ballottrax updates about their ballot via text, email or voice message. Ballots must be received by or postmarked on Election Day.

If voters receive a mail-in ballot but decide to vote in person, they should write “voting in person” on the unopened mail-in ballot and drop it in a ballot drop box or surrender it to an election worker. A new ballot will be provided to them in person.

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